Equality Week 2025
Event
Empowering voices, effective actions: Equality Week 2025
Monday 10 March, 2025 – Friday 14 March, 2025
Welcome to Equality Week 2025
This year's theme is Empowering Voices, Effective Actions. We aim to empower individuals to speak their truth and embrace their authentic selves. Through effective actions, we demonstrate our commitment to doing more than just listening.
Amplify your voices, share your stories and your work. Join us to hear others and experience their actions come to life.
"Equality is not just about equal opportunities, but also about creating an environment where everyone can thrive."
Welcome from the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor
Vice-Chancellor Georgina Andrews and Chancellor Sharanjit Leyl open Equality Week with special welcome messages.
Watch their videos here from 9am Monday 10 March.
Assistive technology and inclusion at BSU
Wednesday 10 March, 10am - 12pm, Atrium
Come down to the Atrium and experience some simulations of what some of our students and colleagues may be experiencing with their Disabilities.
This is an opportunity to gain more insight into some of their experiences and to understand what BSU is doing from an Assistive Technology point of view to support them.
We Are the People showcase
Wednesday 12 March, 1.30pm - 2.30pm, Atrium, Commons
We Are the People are a small research team of disabled academics and non-disabled allies engaged in disability research and disability activism.
We've been awarded a five-year, Wellcome Trust grant to explore issues which affect disabled people in South West England. To date we’ve been working with Disabled researchers in the community to research issues that matter to them.
Join us for a showcase of We Are The People projects on Wednesday 12 March from 1:30pm until 2:30pm, in the Commons Atrium. We'll be presenting a mural that illustrates research co-produced with Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs), a zine about disability activism and advocacy, and an accessible top tips video for museums and heritage sites.
We'll also be sharing projects throughout the week on our social media.
We have commissioned a mural by Stephen Lee Hodgkins to reflect our research findings. The research was co-produced with Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) across the South West. We asked disabled people about their experiences of using DPOs.
The included words are designed to showcase the breadth of disabled people’s experiences and can be read in different ways. The mural will be on display in the Commons Atrium from 10 to 23 March.
‘We Are Everywhere’ is a zine that was created as part of the disability activism and advocacy research project led by researchers Annabelle Howard, Katie Crouch and Stuart Read and designed by Daisy Hvnter. It was produced using artwork made in online group sessions and quotes from conversations and an online survey. The zine contains content written in long form and easy read format.
The project brought together a range of partners including Open Story Tellers, who are a creative arts group based in Frome for people with learning disabilities, volunteers from Frome Museum, and Bath Spa University staff.
Together we produced an Accessible Top Tips leaflet for Museums and Heritage sites, illustrated by Robin Meader. We’d now like to share our video outlining the top tips. You can find out more on the webpage Frome Museum AHRC project.
Equality Week Mindful Book Club
Wednesday 12 March, 3.30pm-5pm, Library, Newton Park
Join us this Equality Week for an evening of empowering narratives and relaxed discussion.
Discover your next great read from our curated pick list and explore the works of writers, filmmakers, artists, philosophers, and other champions of equality, diversity, and inclusion. Share and reflect on your own stories of effective actions. Refreshments will be provided.
No booking required.
Empowering voices: Creating safer, uncomfortable spaces
Friday 14 March, 12.30pm-1.30pm, Online
In this one-hour session, please join Lou Chiu (she/her) in exploring the differences between unsafe and uncomfortable spaces.
Discomfort is a natural byproduct of learning, especially when it’s an area we’re unfamiliar with. Learning to be comfortable with the uncomfortable can bring us together. On the other hand, unsafe spaces can prevent people from coming together. People who feel unsafe in spaces can withdraw or become disruptive.
In this session, we'll explore how to balance of safety and discomfort in spaces that will enable deep learning and meaningful connections. We'll identify the conditions that contribute to feelings of safety and discomfort to cultivate spaces where people can bring as much of themselves as they'd like.
About our speaker
Lou is a Culture and Relationships Coach and a People and Development Consultant with Atkinson HR. She supports those who help others to develop skills and confidence in anti-oppressive, trauma-informed practices. Lou specialises in allyship for individuals, communities and organisations.
Atkinson HR is a strategic HR consultancy helping values-driven organisations become exceptional employers. Their expert consultants create tailored HR strategies and solutions aligned with their clients’ core values, enabling teams to thrive and building workplace cultures that inspire excellence. Atkinson HR is committed to exceeding expectations and empowering organisations to achieve lasting, values-led, success.
What else is happening this week?
In addition to our events, we've also got some projects and displays running all throughout the week, including:
International Women's Day mural
Join us in the Common Area as we celebrate Equality Week with a stunning mural display at the heart of our campus, celebrating diversity, inclusion, and empowerment. This serves as a tribute to International Women’s Day, reminding us to continue recognising and uplifting women’s achievements worldwide.
Come and experience the vibrancy of creativity and equality in action—because every day is a chance to celebrate progress.
Disabled People’s Organisations Mural
We Are the People have commissioned a mural by Stephen Lee Hodgkins to reflect their research findings. It will be on display in the Commons Atrium from 10 to 23 March.
Equality Week Library display
Our library team have put together a collection of books and other materials to complement events happening this week. Find out more by popping over to the Library foyer during the week.